Natural Sciences/Social Sciences

Pre-Physical Therapy / Psychology

Preparation for graduate studies in Physical Therapy
Early Acceptance program with New York Medical College
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the Mount (4-year)

Overview

Modern physical therapists are prepared to treat patients
ranging in age from infants to the elderly. Their work is performed
in settings as diverse as outpatient clinics, schools, and
specialized departments within hospitals.

Within the context of today’s health care system, physical
therapists are specialized in examining and treating individuals
with impairment of their daily lives as a result of musculoskeletal
and neuromuscular problems.To prepare for the demands of such a
profession, students must attend a postgraduate program in Physical
Therapy. Upon successful completion of that program, they are
required to pass a national examination and be licensed in the
state in which they wish to practice.

Pre-Physical Therapy / Psychology at the Mount

The Pre-Physical Therapy program at the Mount prepares students
for graduate study in Physical Therapy (Doctor of Physical Therapy,
or DPT).

Eligible students will spend four years at the Mount, earning a
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and completing a Pre-Physical
Therapy course of studies. Students can then apply for admission to
graduate PT programs.

Early Acceptance with New York Medical College

Students who complete the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the
Mount and take the required courses for the Physical Therapy
program at New York Medical College may be eligible for
early acceptance to NYMC. (See Program
Requirements, below).

Program Requirements

Students take the following pre-requisite courses during their
four years of study at the Mount:

Four courses in Biology, including Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and II, and Biological Principles I and II

Two courses in Chemistry

Two courses in Physics

Two courses in Psychology

One course in Mathematics

One course in Statistics

The remaining course requirements are those for the bachelor’s
degree in Psychology.

Eligibility for early acceptance with NYMC:

Students must:

Take all pre-requisite courses at the Mount (making early
acceptance not an option for transfer students).

Receive only one grade lower than a B-; and no grade lower than
a C+ (so only one C+ permitted for early acceptance to NYMC).

Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 in their senior year (no
repeat coursework permitted in calculation for early acceptance
track).

Take the GRE.

After these requirements are met, the student then applies and
interviews for early acceptance to the Physical Therapy program at
NYMC.

Please keep in mind that these requirements are for
early acceptance to NYMC, for those students who
do not plan to apply to any other school via early admission.
Students who do not meet these criteria are still able to apply for
"regular" admission to NYMC or any other PT program. Many students
opt to apply for a range of graduate PT programs.

Where Mount Students have Interned

Physical therapy offices in the region, local hospitals and
facilities dealing with physical therapy patients.

Career Options

Modern physical therapists are prepared to treat patients
ranging in age from infants to the elderly. Their work is performed
in settings as diverse as outpatient clinics, schools, and
specialized departments within hospitals. Within these settings,
physical therapists assist patients in dealing with problems such
as orthopedic maladies (neck and back pain, the rehabilitation of
joints following corrective surgery and assisting patients in pain
reduction and increased mobility) and aiding patients in regaining
an acceptable quality of life (the result of developmental
abnormalities, disease, following severe accidents, heart attacks,
or strokes).

Within the context of today’s health care system, physical
therapists are specialized in examining and treating individuals
with impairment of their daily lives, the result of musculoskeletal
and neuromuscular problems. To prepare for the demands of such a
profession, students must attend a postgraduate program in PT. Upon
the successful completion of that program, they are required to
pass a national examination and be licensed in the state in which
they wish to practice.

Students in the Physical Therapy/Psychology track at the Mount
will be prepared to apply to PT programs at any graduate school,
including New York Medical College. They can also easily switch
their career goals without requiring any extra courses for
graduation from the Mount.

Career Outlook

Employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 36
percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all
occupations. Demand for physical therapy services will come from
the aging baby boomers, who are staying active later in life. In
addition, physical therapists will be needed to treat people with
mobility issues stemming from chronic conditions, such as diabetes
or obesity.*